How does 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 17 sound to everyone. We can meet at the Red Caboose at the trailhead in Inverness. Ride distances and speed are up to you - the purpose is to get to know other BF members, not to race each other.

TTom - that should give you enough time to come up from Sebring.

If you'd rather a later time, please post.

Let me talk to a buddy and see if he wants to come along... I'll try hard to make it, 11am is great. I WISH I was in Sebring, that would have me an hour closer than I am. Okeechobee is the MIDDLE of no where and it takes hours to get anywhere from here....

I'll keep you posted, as my wife mentioned something last night about babysitting the grandkids (ages 1.5 and 3) that weekend????

It seems that a few people who live south of the trail are asking if there will be two groups -- one starting in Inverness and one starting at the south end of the trail and the two groups will meet/join at some point.
Not sure about this. I know some of you can't or don't want to ride very far. Are we all meeting in Inverness and riding south from there or will some folks start at the south end and hope that enough people will ride far enough to meet half way, say near Lake Lindsey Rd (Nobleton) or Lake Townsen park?

__________________

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. - Psalm 103:8

This sounds like it will be a great ride and fellowship for y'all, have a great time and please post a thread with pictures of the ride if you will. At least I can vicariously ride the trail with everyone. I am looking at getting TomD77 and a few others up here to have a NW Florida, South Alabama ride this year. Have fun.

Bill

__________________I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me. Philippians 4:13

"I did not choose to have Parkinson's Disease, I do choose not to allow it to control my life." Davis Phinney

Hubby and I will drive to Inverness and ride whichever direction is decided. We normally ride to Floral City and back (south) or north towards Hernando. Doesn't really matter. If we get tired, we'll just turn around. Hope to see everyone there.

I had my first day on the trail today. I am at an RV park north of Inverness. I did 39 miles, riding to the north end of the trail, then down south of Inverness a bit, and then back to my rv. Nice trail. I am looking forward to the ride. I will either drive the rv down to Inverness and start there if the plan is to have a long ride (I have an old dog to deal with so I can't be gone more than about 6 hours) or if the ride won't be as long I will ride my bike the 10 miles to the Inverness trail head and meet everyone there.

If you'd like a lift let me know. I'm coming from Ocala and can pick you up.

Sue

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldfinch

I had my first day on the trail today. I am at an RV park north of Inverness. I did 39 miles, riding to the north end of the trail, then down south of Inverness a bit, and then back to my rv. Nice trail. I am looking forward to the ride. I will either drive the rv down to Inverness and start there if the plan is to have a long ride (I have an old dog to deal with so I can't be gone more than about 6 hours) or if the ride won't be as long I will ride my bike the 10 miles to the Inverness trail head and meet everyone there.

Looks like there may be two groups -- one heading south from Inverness and another heading north from Ridge Manor/Trilby -- so here is a possible plan (from Sue).

What we might consider is to set a time to meet the south group at Lake Townsen Park. It would be about 15 miles for each group. I'd guess we will spend a bit of time talking to folks at the start, and also saying goodbye at Floral City, so we probably could get to Lake Townsend Park around 12:30/12:45 or so and meet up with the south group.

That would give the faster/longer riders a chance to go even further south and double back to meet at the park.

Anyone else have another idea?

__________________

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. - Psalm 103:8

We will be staying in Brooksville again. It would make a lot more sense for me to start with the "southern" group, or catch them going by when passing 50 (IIRC). However, in the interest of the continuity of the ride and assuming more folks are meeting at the Inverness side, I would rather meet you there than to end up riding by myself most of the afternoon.

Maggi and I can probably make it, but it makes more sense for us to start with the southern group. Who's heading up that group, where is the "official" meeting place, start time, etc.

And for reference for others, we ride a red Trek T2000 tandem, have allowed ourselves to get waaay out of shape these last 3 years or so, and therefore will only be riding at about 15-18mph. But we throw out a hell of a draft! So if you can balance you bike going that slow, feel free to suck wheel all day!

__________________BICYCLE - [bahy-si-kuhl] - Noun :> A medical device used to correct the common geriatric condition of OFS, (Old, Fat & Slow), in a manner that does not induce brain-decaying boredom like walking or running.

Will you please take the lead on the southern riders. Both Ron and I live close to the Inverness trailhead and I'll be starting there and believe he will as well. If you plan to meet around 11:00 you should get to the halfway point (see the Withlacoochee Details thread) by 12:30 where and meet up with the Inverness riders. I'd suggest starting at Trillby, but whatever works for the southern riders is fine.

Looking forward to meeting you-all.

Sue

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onegun

Maggi and I can probably make it, but it makes more sense for us to start with the southern group. Who's heading up that group, where is the "official" meeting place, start time, etc.

And for reference for others, we ride a red Trek T2000 tandem, have allowed ourselves to get waaay out of shape these last 3 years or so, and therefore will only be riding at about 15-18mph. But we throw out a hell of a draft! So if you can balance you bike going that slow, feel free to suck wheel all day!

First of all, I thought this WAS the Withlacoochee details thread! Secondly, what a sneaky, low-down, under-handed way to get people to show up! Putting them in charge! Hmmph!

Seriously though, if you've got no one else to lead out the southern group, I'll do it. But I do not know Townsend Park. Is the entrance/exit clearly marked on the trail?

EDIT:

Hmmm. OK, disregard that last, as we DO know Townsend Park, and yes it is clearly marked. It is a normal sag stop on the annual Rails-To-Trails ride. Just didn't know the name. But someone please do enlighten me as to when Google started letting you drag the little map man onto multi-use paths and view them like they were streets! Cool!

__________________BICYCLE - [bahy-si-kuhl] - Noun :> A medical device used to correct the common geriatric condition of OFS, (Old, Fat & Slow), in a manner that does not induce brain-decaying boredom like walking or running.

Here's a map. Note that the park is on the left right after you cross CR 476. It's fairly wooded, but you can't miss it. If you like, I'll PM you my cell phone number so we can 'touch base' if necessary. Just let me know.

QUOTE=Onegun;15259184]First of all, I thought this WAS the Withlacoochee details thread! Secondly, what a sneaky, low-down, under-handed way to get people to show up! Putting them in charge! Hmmph!

Seriously though, if you've got no one else to lead out the southern group, I'll do it. But I do not know Townsend Park. Is the entrance/exit clearly marked on the trail?

EDIT:

Hmmm. OK, disregard that last, as we DO know Townsend Park, and yes it is clearly marked. It is a normal sag stop on the annual Rails-To-Trails ride. Just didn't know the name. But someone please do enlighten me as to when Google started letting you drag the little map man onto multi-use paths and view them like they were streets! Cool![/QUOTE]

"And for reference for others, we ride a red Trek T2000 tandem, have allowed ourselves to get waaay out of shape these last 3 years or so, and therefore will only be riding at about 15-18mph. But we throw out a hell of a draft! So if you can balance you bike going that slow, feel free to suck wheel all day! "

ummmm...glad we're starting on the other end. Bout the only time I hit 18 mph is going down a pretty steep hill.

Linda - me too! Us little old ladies can just poke along and arrive whenever!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindaosm

"And for reference for others, we ride a red Trek T2000 tandem, have allowed ourselves to get waaay out of shape these last 3 years or so, and therefore will only be riding at about 15-18mph. But we throw out a hell of a draft! So if you can balance you bike going that slow, feel free to suck wheel all day! "

ummmm...glad we're starting on the other end. Bout the only time I hit 18 mph is going down a pretty steep hill.

I think we'll ride from the Inverness end, as it seems like most people are. My wife isn't sure how far she will ride, and is wondering about bringing one of our friends along too (to ride with if she runs out of steam) , if that would be okay?

If I was sure we could make it, I'd offer to lead up the southern end, but with the Liam riding solo, we might start as close to Townsend as Croom Road rather than Trilby or the Ridge Manor trailhead. Five miles is about his limit. Checking the weather even that is iffy - it might be a little to cold for my "all ready snot nosed kids" to be out. At this time, we are still planning to be there and are currently hoping the weather forecasters at BN9 are wrong about the highs. For all you non-natives, it probably won't bother you a bit.

Well, that being the case, is anyone else riding from the southern end?

__________________BICYCLE - [bahy-si-kuhl] - Noun :> A medical device used to correct the common geriatric condition of OFS, (Old, Fat & Slow), in a manner that does not induce brain-decaying boredom like walking or running.

__________________BICYCLE - [bahy-si-kuhl] - Noun :> A medical device used to correct the common geriatric condition of OFS, (Old, Fat & Slow), in a manner that does not induce brain-decaying boredom like walking or running.

I think we'll ride from the Inverness end, as it seems like most people are. My wife isn't sure how far she will ride, and is wondering about bringing one of our friends along too (to ride with if she runs out of steam) , if that would be okay?

I've been checking the weather for next weekend for several days. First they said rain on Sat and Sun. Now they just saying cold for Sun (low of 37 Sun morning, high temp ~57). I have 3 jackets and 3 vests that I brought from ATL (used for riding in 35-45 degree weather). If anyone needs a jacket or vest (all size L) let me know and I'll bring them to the ride.

__________________

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. - Psalm 103:8